A quick pulse interrupted by fast and furious camera work

Rating: 8/10 (28 June 2003)

Independent fright films are not my cup of tea but when I read a review that said there was great camera work, a real story line, AND scary, I thought, "What the heck. It's summer. Go for a laugh."
There are no laughs here and this film is truly scary. I didn't jump out of my seat. Nor did I jerk, cover my eyes, and knock my glasses off my nose. What I did was grip the arms of my theater seat and I don't think I blinked during the entire film. This movie had a quick pulse interrupted by fast and furious camera work. Sound is as important to this film as the visuals. This movie is visceral but also philosophical. What is survival? What is friendship? Who are the bad guys? Is it possible to love when you're in survival mode? What is trust?
It is dark though and I'm getting tired of films made in the dark. Film Noir?